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| United States Patent |
5,619,743
|
|
Mogi
, et al.
|
April 8, 1997
|
Method of processing a photosensitive material and photographic
processing apparatus
Abstract
A photographic processing apparatus efficiently processes color
photographic film and color printing paper. Intermediate portions of pipes
for circulating processing solutions which communicate with a bleaching
tank, first and second fixing tanks, a wash tank and first and second
stabilizing bath tanks of a film processing section, and a
bleaching/fixing tank and first through third rinsing tanks of a printing
paper processing section penetrate a metal block of a cast heater so that
the pipes are coupled together by the metal block for efficient heat
transmission. A heater is provided inside the metal block to uniformly
heat the processing solutions which flow through the pipes. Heat is
exchanged among the processing solutions flowing through the pipes so that
the processing solutions in the bleaching tank through the second
stabilizing bath tank of the film processing section and the
bleaching/fixing tank through the third rinsing tank of the printing paper
processing section are effectively maintained at the roughly same
temperature.
| Inventors:
|
Mogi; Fumio (Kanagawa, JP);
Ishikawa; Takatoshi (Kanagawa, JP)
|
| Assignee:
|
Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. (Kanagawa, JP)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
466748 |
| Filed:
|
June 6, 1995 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
| Current U.S. Class: |
396/577 |
| Intern'l Class: |
G03D 007/00 |
| Field of Search: |
354/298,299,322-324
430/351,383,403
134/64 P,64 R,122 P,122 R
219/475-478
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
| 4920252 | Apr., 1990 | Yoshino | 219/497.
|
| 5116721 | May., 1992 | Yamamoto | 430/351.
|
| 5486890 | Jan., 1996 | Mogi | 354/299.
|
| Foreign Patent Documents |
| 4-141646 | May., 1992 | JP | 354/297.
|
Primary Examiner: Rutledge; D.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sughrue, Mion, Zinn, Macpeak & Seas
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of developing a photosensitive material, using a plurality of
processing solutions including a developing solution, said method
comprising the steps of:
placing each of said processing solutions in respective tanks;
heating said processing solutions, except the developing solution, by at
most a first heating source and a second heating source; wherein the
developing solution is maintained at a predetermined temperature equal to
or higher than 40.degree. C., and the remaining processing solutions are
maintained at predetermined temperatures in a range from at least
38.degree. C. to at most 50.degree. C. while maintaining the temperature
differences between the processing solutions, except the developing
solution, to be less than or equal to 2.degree. C.
2. A photographic processing apparatus comprising:
a film processing section in which a photographic film is developed using
processing solutions, including a developing solution;
an image exposure section for printing images of the photographic film on a
printing paper by exposure; and
a printing paper processing section in which the printing paper is
developed using processing solutions, including a developing solution;
at most a first heating source and a second heating source for maintaininq
said processing solutions, except the developing solutions, at
predetermined temperatures,
wherein the temperature differences between the processing solutions,
except the developing solutions, of said film processing section and said
printing paper processing section are maintained to be less than or equal
to 2.degree. C.
3. A photographic processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
developing solution of said film processing section and the developing
solution of said printing paper processing section are maintained at
predetermined temperatures equal to or higher than 40.degree. C., and
remaining the processing solutions of said film processing section and the
remaining solutions of said printing paper processing section are
maintained at predetermined temperatures in a range from at least
38.degree. C. to at most 50.degree. C.
4. A photographic apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising:
pipes for circulating the processing solutions,
wherein the processing solutions, except the developing solution of said
film processing section and the developing solution of said printing paper
processing section, are heated by at most a first and second heating
source, wherein said first heating source comprises a cast heater wherein
said first heating source and said pipes are coupled together by a
material having a high heat conductivity.
5. A photographic processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein all
the processing solutions, except the developing solution of said film
processing section and the developing solution of said printing paper
processing section, are maintained at predetermined temperatures by a
single cast heater.
6. A photographic processing apparatus according to claim 2, further
comprising:
pipes for circulating the processing solutions,
wherein the processing solutions, except the developing solution of said
film processing section and the developing solution of said printing paper
processing section, are heated by at most a first and second heating
source, wherein said first heating source comprises a cast heater wherein
said first heating source and said pipes are coupled together by a
material having a high heat conductivity.
7. A photographic processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein all
the processing solutions, except the developing solution of said film
processing section and the developing solution of said printing paper
processing section, are maintained at predetermined temperatures by a
single cast heater.
8. A photographic processing apparatus comprising:
a film processing section in which a photographic film is developed using
processing solutions, including a developing solution;
a printing paper processing section in which a printing paper containing an
image is developed using processing solutions, including a developing
solution; and
at most a first heating source and a second heating source for maintaining
said processing solutions, except the developing solutions, at
predetermined temperatures,
wherein the temperature differences between the processing solutions,
except the developing solutions, of said film processing section and said
printing paper processing section are maintained to be less than or equal
to 2.degree. C.
9. A photographic processing apparatus according to claim 8, further
comprising:
pipes for circulating the processing solutions,
wherein the processing solutions, except the developing solution of said
film processing section and the developing solution of said printing paper
processing section, are heated by at most a first and second heating
source, wherein said first heating source comprises a cast heater wherein
said first heating source and said pipes are coupled together by a
material having a high heat conductivity.
10. A photographic processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein all
the processing solutions, except the developing solution of said film
processing section and the developing solution of said printing paper
processing section, are maintained at predetermined temperatures by a
single cast heater.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a photographic processing apparatus which
comprises a film processing section for developing photographic film and a
printing paper processing section for developing printing paper having an
image formed thereon by an exposure process. Also, the present invention
relates to a method of processing a photosensitive material which can
quickly process the photosensitive material in the above-described
photographic processing apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
A photographic processing apparatus is known in which a film processing
unit and a printing processing unit are formed integrally. In such a
processing apparatus, photographic film on which images have been
photographed successively undergoes a developing process, a fixing
process, a washing process, and a drying process in the film processing
unit. Then, images recorded on the photographic film thus developed are
printed on printing paper by exposure, after which the printing paper
undergoes a developing process, a fixing process, a washing process, and a
drying process in the printing processing unit to obtain photographic
prints. With this type of processing apparatus, it is possible to
consecutively perform various processes starting from a developing process
of photographic film on which images have been photographed, to an
exposure process for printing images recorded on the photographic film on
printing paper by exposure and further to a developing process for
developing the printing paper on which images have been printed by
exposure. Accordingly, photographic prints can be obtained from a
photographic film using a single apparatus.
In the above-described photographic processing apparatus, processing tanks
for developing, fixing, and washing photographic film, and processing
tanks for developing, fixing, and washing printing paper are separately
provided, in addition to a drying section. Processing solutions in these
processing tanks are maintained at respective predetermined temperatures
equal to or less than 38.degree. C. to quickly process the photographic
film and the printing paper under optimal conditions. Processing solutions
in the film processing unit and the printing paper processing unit are
controlled by separate temperature adjusting means and circulating means
such that the photographic film and the printing paper can be processed
under optimal conditions.
However, conventional integral-type photographic processing apparatuses in
which processes from the development of negative film to the exposure and
development of printing paper are performed consecutively in one apparatus
are nothing more than a simple aggregation of a film processing unit and a
printing processing unit, for no attempts have been made to, for example,
simplify the means for maintaining the temperatures of the processing
solutions, reduce the number of parts, set temperatures of the respective
processing solutions in easier manner, or process a color photosensitive
material quickly. Accordingly, such conventional photographic processing
apparatuses are relatively large and the space therefor to be installed is
limited. Also, the conventional apparatuses have high operating costs, and
cannot effectively carry out the processes including developing of
photographic film, exposure of printing paper, and development of the
printing paper.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention
is to provide a method of processing a photosensitive material which can
quickly process a color photosensitive material.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a photographic
processing apparatus which achieves a reduced size, a reduction of
manufacturing costs by reduced number of parts, and a reduction in
operating costs, and which can effectively process a color photosensitive
material.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
method of developing a color photosensitive material which has been
exposed, using a plurality of processing solutions including a developing
solution. The color photosensitive material is developed in the state in
which the developing solution is maintained at a predetermined temperature
equal to or higher than 40.degree. C., and all the processing solutions
except the developing solution are maintained at predetermined
temperatures in a range from at least 38.degree. C. to at most 50.degree.
C. while maintaining the temperature differences between the processing
solutions except the developing solution to be less than or equal to
2.degree. C.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
photographic processing apparatus which includes a film processing section
in which color photographic film which has been exposed is developed using
processing solutions which are stored in a plurality of processing tanks
including a developing tank and are maintained at predetermined
temperatures, an image exposure section for printing images of the color
photographic film which has undergone the developing process on color
printing paper by exposure, and a printing paper processing section in
which the color printing paper on which the images have been printed by
exposure is developed using processing solutions which are stored in a
plurality of processing tanks including a developing tank and are
maintained at predetermined temperatures wherein the temperature
differences between the processing solutions except the developing
solutions of the film processing section and the printing paper processing
section are maintained to be less than or equal to 2.degree. C.
In use of the photographic processing apparatus just mentioned above, the
developing solution of the film processing section and the developing
solution of the printing paper processing section are preferably
maintained at respective predetermined temperatures equal to or higher
than 40.degree. C., and all the processing solutions except the developing
solution of the film processing section and the developing solution of the
printing paper processing section are maintained at predetermined
temperatures in a range from at least 38.degree. C. to at most 50.degree.
C.
Preferably, the processing solution except the developing solution of the
film processing section and the developing solution of the printing paper
processing section are heated by at most two heat sources, and at least
one of the heat sources is a cast heater in which said at least one heat
source and pipes for circulating a plurality of processing solutions to be
heated by said at least one heat source are tightened and coupled together
by hardening a metallic material having a high heat conductivity tightly
around said at least one heat source and said pipes.
Preferably, all the processing solutions except the developing solution of
the film processing section and the developing solution of the printing
paper processing section are maintained at predetermined temperatures by a
single cast heater.
It is a general practice that processing solutions, including developing
solutions, for processing a color photosensitive material are maintained
at predetermined temperatures equal to or lower than 38.degree. C. In
contrast, in the method according to the present invention, developing
solutions are maintained at a temperature equal to or higher than
40.degree. C. while all the processing solutions except the developing
solutions are maintained at predetermined temperatures in a range from at
least 38.degree. C. to at most 50.degree. C. As a result, a color
photosensitive material can be processed in a shorter time.
Also, since the temperature differences between the processing solutions
except the developing solutions are maintained to be less than or equal to
2.degree. C., it is possible to prevent the processing solutions except
the developing solutions from affecting each other and from becoming
instable. Accordingly, the color photosensitive material can be processed
to have a consistent quality.
The photographic processing apparatus according to the second aspect of the
invention is a photographic processing apparatus of the so-called N-P
integral type in which color photographic film is first subject to a
developing process, and then images recorded on the developed color
photographic film are printed on color printing paper, which is then
subjected to a developing process. In such a photographic processing
apparatus, the temperature differences between the processing solutions
except the developing solution of the film processing section and the
developing solution of the printing paper processing section are
maintained to be less than or equal to 2.degree. C. Accordingly, even when
the processing tanks for storing the processing solutions except the
developing solutions are arranged close to each other, the temperatures of
the process solutions do not affect each other. This makes it possible to
arrange the processing tanks in a reduced space, thereby decreasing the
size of the apparatus.
It should be noted that when the developing solutions of the photographic
processing apparatus of the present invention are maintained at
predetermined temperatures equal to or higher than 40.degree. C. while all
the processing solutions except the developing solutions are maintained at
predetermined temperatures in a range from at least 38.degree. C. to at
most 50.degree. C., not only color photographic film but also color
printing paper can be quickly processed in a stable manner.
As described above, in the photographic processing apparatus of the present
invention, the processing solutions except the developing solutions which
develop color photographic film and color printing paper are preferably
heated by at most two heat sources, so as to maintain the processing
solutions at predetermined temperatures.
In order to process and develop color photographic film and color printing
paper, various kinds of processing solutions such as a bleaching solution,
a fixing solution (or a bleaching/fixing solution), washing water, and a
stabilizing solution are required in addition to a developing solution.
When these processing solutions are heated by separate heat sources
provided for the respective processing solutions, the apparatus consumes
considerable amounts of electrical power. In the present invention, since
all the processing solutions are heated by at most two heat sources, the
electrical power consumed by the apparatus can be decreased so that the
reduction in a running cost can be achieved. In this case, use of a cast
heater can effectively heat and maintain a plurality of processing
solutions at a substantially constant temperature.
The cast heater is formed by integrally tightening pipes for circulating
respective processing solutions, together with a heat source, by means of
a metallic material of a high heat conductivity hardened around the pipes
and the heat source. With this structure, heat from the heater can be
effectively transferred to the processing solutions flowing through the
pipes, and heat conduction among the processing solutions can also be
performed mutually. Accordingly, it is very easy to maintain the plurality
of processing solutions within a predetermined temperature range.
When the number of heat sources is reduced, the number of cooling fans used
accompanying the heat sources and various parts used for controlling the
operation of the heat sources and the fans or the like can also be
reduced, thereby preventing the production costs of the apparatus from
increasing.
Also, as described above, in the photographic processing apparatus of the
present invention, the processing solutions except the developing
solutions are heated by a single heat source using the so-called cast
heater. This can be achieved by selecting the processing solutions except
the developing solutions so that the temperature differences between the
processing solutions except the developing solutions are less than or
equal to 2.degree. C. By this, it becomes possible to effectively control
the temperatures of various processing solutions using a mechanism having
a simple structure. Moreover, the above-described object of the present
invention, i.e., reduction of the size of the apparatus, reduction of the
running costs, etc., can be effectively achieved.
The difference in temperature between the developing solution for color
photographic film and the developing solution for color printing paper is
preferably at most 2.degree. C. and more preferably at most 1.5.degree. C.
Also, the temperature of each developing solution is preferably controlled
in the range of .+-.0.5.degree. C.
Next, processing solutions including developing solutions according to the
present invention which are suitable for processing a color photosensitive
material will be described. Namely, a description will be given of
developing solutions which can stably process a color photosensitive
material at a temperature equal to or higher than 40.degree. C. and
processing solutions which can process the developed color photosensitive
material at temperatures in a range from at least 38.degree. C. to at most
50.degree. C. to obtain prints having a high quality.
The developing solutions (color developing solutions) used in the present
invention preferably contain, as a main component, an art-recognized
aromatic primary amine color developing agent. Preferred examples are
p-phenylenediamine derivatives. Typical examples of such derivatives
include N,N-diethyl-p-phenylenediamine, 2-amino-5-diethylaminotoluene,
2-amino-5-(N-ethyl-N-laurylamino)toluene,
3-methyl-4-[N-ethyl-N-(.beta.-hydroxyethyl)amino]aniline,
3-methyl-4-[N-ethyl-N-(.delta.-hydroxybutyl)amino]aniline,
2-methyl-4-[N-ethyl-N-(.beta.-hydroxyethyl)amino]aniline,
4-amino-3-methyl-N-ethyl-N-[.beta.-(methanesulfonamide)ethyl]aniline,
N-(2-amino-5-diethylaminophenylethyl)methanesulfonamide,
N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine,
4-amino-3-methyl-N-ethyl-N-methoxyethylaniline,
4-amino-3-methyl-N-ethyl-N-.beta.-ethoxyethylaniline, and
4-amino-3-methyl-N-ethyl-N-.beta.-butoxyethylaniline. Among them,
particularly preferred are 4-amino-3-methyl-N-ethyl-
N-[.beta.-(methanesulfonamide)ethyl]aniline,
2-methyl-4-[N-ethyl-N-(.beta.-hydroxyethyl)amino]aniline, and
2-methyl-4-[N-ethyl-N-(.delta.-hydroxybutyl)amino]aniline.
Among the above-described compounds,
4-amino-3-methyl-N-ethyl-N-[.beta.-(methanesulfonamide)ethyl]-aniline, and
3-methyl-4-[N-ethyl-N-(.beta.-hydroxyethyl)amino]aniline are preferably
used in the embodiments of the present invention.
The above p-phenylenediamine derivatives may be salts of sulfuric acid,
hydrochloric acid, sulfurous acid, or p-toluenesulfonic acid. Although the
aromatic primary amine developing agent must be used in an amount equal to
or greater than about 0.15 mol per liter of developing solution
(mol/liter), it is preferably used in an amount of 0.17-0.50 mol/liter.
Also, the color developing agent is preferably included in a replenishing
solution for the developing solution in an amount of about 0.17-0.60 mol,
more preferably about 0.2-0.8 mol, per liter of replenishing solution.
To increase the durability of tank materials, use of a developing solution
which is substantially benzyl alcohol-free is recommended. The term
"substantially benzyl alcohol-free" means that the concentrations of
benzyl alcohol is not greater than 2 ml/liter and preferably not greater
than 0.5 ml/liter. Most preferably, the developing solution contains no
benzyl alcohol.
The developing solution may contain hydroxylamine, ions of sulfurous acid,
or the like. Also, the developing solution preferably contains other
organic preservatives.
The term "organic preservatives" covers all the organic compounds which can
decelerate the speed of deterioration of the aromatic primary amine color
developing agents by addition thereof. That is, the organic preservatives
are organic compounds having the function of preventing the oxidation of
color developing agents due to contact with air. Preferred examples of
effective organic preservatives include hydroxylamine derivatives (other
than hydroxylamine), hydroxamic acids, hydrazines, hydrazides, phenols,
.alpha.-hydroxyketones, .alpha.-aminoketones, saccharides, monoamines,
diamines, polyamines, quaternary ammonium salts, nitroxy radicals,
alcohols, oximes, diamide compounds, and condensed ring amines.
Especially, it is preferred to add alkanol amines such as triethanolamine;
dialkylhydroxylamines such as N,N-diethylhydroxylamine or
N,N-di(sulfoether)hydroxylamine; hydrazine derivatives such as
N,N-bis(carboxymethyl)hydrazine (other than hydrazine); and aromatic
polyhydroxy compounds such as sodium catechol-3,5-disulfonate.
An anti-fogging agent may be added to the developing solutions as needed.
An alkali metal halide such as sodium chloride, potassium bromide or
potassium iodide, or an organic anti-fogging agent can be used as the
anti-fogging agent. Typical examples of the organic anti-fogging agent
include nitrogen-containing hetero cyclic compounds such as benzotriazole,
6-nitrobenzimidazole, 5-nitroisoindazole, 5-methylbenzotriazole,
5-nitrobenzotriazole, 5-chlorobenzotriazole, 2-thiazolyl-benzimidazole,
2-thiazolylmethylbenzimidazole, indazole, hydroxyazaindolizine, and
adenine.
When the above-described developing solutions are used in the photographic
processing apparatus of the present invention at a pH of 10.0 or higher,
more preferably at a pH in the range from 10.20 to 11.00, excellent
developing performance can be obtained. The developing solutions may
further contain other known components which are used for the preparation
of developing solutions.
To obtain the above-described pH, various buffers are preferably used.
Examples of the buffer include carbonates, phosphates, borates,
tetraborates, hydroxybenzoates, glycyl salts, N,N-dimethylglycine salts,
Leucine salts, norleucine salts, guanine salts, 3,4-dihydoxyphenylalanine
salts, alanine salts, amine buryrates, 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol
salts, valine salts, proline salts, trishydroxyaminomethane salts, and
lysine salts. Carbonates and phosphates are preferred.
The buffers are preferably added to the developing solutions in amounts not
less than 0.1 mol/liter, preferably in the range from 0.1 mol/liter to 0.4
mol/liter.
Moreover, the developing solutions may contain various chelating agents for
preventing the precipitation of calcium or magnesium or for improving the
stability of the solutions. Examples of the chelating agents include
nitrilotriacetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid,
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, N,N,N-trimethylenephosphonic acid,
ethylenediamine-N,N,N',N'-tetramethylenephosphonic acid,
trans-cyclohexanediamine tetraacetic acid, 1,2-diaminopropanetetraacetic
acid, glycolether diaminetetraacetic acid, ethylenediamine
orthohydroxyphenylacetic acid, 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid,
1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid,
N,N'-bis(2-hydroxybenzyl)ethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetic acid, and
hydroxyethylimino diacetic acid. They may be used in combination of two or
more as desired.
The chelating agents are added in such amounts that enable metal ions in
the developing solutions to be blocked. For example, they are added in
amounts from 0.1 g to 10 g per liter of developing solution.
The developing solutions may also contain arbitrary development
accelerators if needed. Examples of the development accelerators include
thioether compounds described, for example, in JP-B-SHO37-16,088,
JP-B-SHO37-5,987, JP-B-SHO38-7,826, JP-B-SHO44-12,380, JP-B-SHO45-9,019,
and U.S. Pat. No. 3,813,247; p-phenylenediamine compounds described, for
example, in JP-A-SHO52-49,829 and JP-A-SHO50-15,554; quaternary ammonium
salts described, for example, in JP-A-SHO50-137,726, JP-B-SHO44-30,074,
JP-A-SHO56-156,826, and JP-A-SHO52-43,429; amine compounds described, for
example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,494,903, 3,128,182, 4,230,796, 3,253,919,
JP-B-SHO41-11,431, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,482,546, 2,596,926, and 3,582,346;
polyalkyleneoxides described, for example, in JP-B-SHO37-16,088,
JP-B-SHO42-25,201, U.S. Pat. No. 3,128,183, JP-B-SHO41-11,431,
JP-B-SHO42-23,883, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,532,501; and
1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidones, imidazoles, etc.
The developing solutions preferably contain a brightening agent. Preferable
examples of the brightening agent include
4,4'-diamine-2,2'-disulfostilbene compounds. They are used in amounts from
0 to 5 g/liter, and preferably 0.1 to 4 g/liter.
The replenishing amounts of the developing solutions are from 20 to 1,000
ml, preferably from 30 to 300 ml, per m.sup.2 of sensitive material.
When the above-described developing solutions are used, the developing time
is not particularly limited. They are preferably used for quick
processing. Preferably, the developing time is from 10 seconds to 2
minutes, and particularly from 15 seconds to 90 seconds.
In the present invention, bleaching and fixing steps or a bleaching/fixing
step are/is provided after the developing step. Bleaching solutions or
bleaching/fixing solutions which are used in these steps may contain
various types of bleaching agents such as hydrogen peroxide, persulfates,
red prussiates, dichromates, iron chloride salts, and iron (III) salts of
aminopolycarboxylic acids. Most preferable bleaching agents are iron (III)
salts of aminopolycarboxylic acids.
Examples of the particularly preferable aminopolycarboxylic acids include,
but are not limited to, EDTA, 1,3-PDTA, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic
acid, 1,2-cyclohexanediaminetetraacetic acid, iminodiacetic acid,
methyliminodiacetic acid, N-(2-acetamide)iminodiacetic acid,
nitrilotriacetic acid, N-(2-carboxyethyl)iminodiacetic acid,
N-(2-carboxymethyl)iminodipropionic acid, .beta.-alanine
diethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid, and
1,3-propylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid.
The suitable concentration of the iron (III) complexes in bleaching/fixing
solutions is from 0,005 to 2.0 mol/liter, more preferably from 0.01 to
1.00 mol/liter, and particularly preferably from 0.02 to 0.50 mol/liter.
The concentration of the iron (III) complexes in replenishing solutions is
preferably from 0,005 to 2 mol/liter, and more preferably from 0.01 to 1.5
mol/liter.
The bleaching solutions, bleaching/fixing solutions, and/or their preceding
solutions may contain various compounds as a bleach accelerator. For
example, the following compounds are preferably used due to their
excellent bleaching power: compounds with a mercapto group or a disulfide
bond described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,893,858, German Patent No. 1,290,812,
JP-A-SHO53-95,630, and Research Disclosure No. 17,129 (July 1978);
thiourea compounds described in JP-B-SHO45-8,506, JP-A-SHO52-20,832,
JP-A-SHO53-32,735, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,706,561; and halogen compounds
containing, for example, an iodine ion or bromine ion.
The bleaching solutions or bleaching/fixing solutions may contain
rehalogenating agents such as bromides (for example, potassium bromide,
sodium bromide, and ammonium bromide), chlorides (for example, potassium
chloride, sodium chloride, and ammonium chloride), and iodides (for
example, ammonium iodide). If necessary, corrosion inhibitors may also be
added which include one or more inorganic acids, organic acids and their
alkali metal salts or ammonium salts having pH buffering ability such as
borax, sodium metaborate, acetic acid, sodium acetate, sodium carbonate,
potassium carbonate, phosphorous acid, phosphoric acid, sodium phosphate,
citric acid, sodium citrate, and tartaric acid; ammonium nitrate, and
guanidine.
The bleaching solutions and bleaching/fixing solutions may further contain
a variety of brightening agents, antifoam agents, surfactants, and organic
solvents such as polyvinylpyrrolidone and methanol.
Fixing agents which are used in the bleaching/fixing solutions or fixing
solutions are known in the art, i.e., thiosulfates such as sodium
thiosulfate and ammonium thiosulfate; thiocyanates such as sodium
thiocyanate and ammonium thiocyanate; thioether compounds such as ethylene
bisthioglycolic acid and 3,6-dithia-1,8-octanediol; and thiourea
compounds, which are water-soluble silver halide dissolving agents. They
are used singly or in combination of two or more. Moreover, special
bleaching/fixing solutions comprising a combination of one of the fixing
agents described in JP-A-SHO55-155,354 and a large amount of a halide such
as potassium iodide can be used. Among the thiosulfates, ammonium
thiosulfate is preferred. The fixing agents are preferably used in amounts
from 0.3 to 2 mols, more preferably from 0.5 to 1.0 mol per liter of
bleaching/fixing solution or fixing solution.
The bleaching/fixing solutions and fixing solutions preferably contain
sulfite ion-releasing compounds such as sulfites (for example, sodium
sulfite, potassium sulfite, or ammonium sulfite), bisulfites (for example,
ammonium bisulfite, sodium bisulfite, and potassium bisulfite), or
metabisulfites (such as potassium metabisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, and
ammonium metabisulfite) as preservatives. These compounds are preferably
present at a concentration in the range from about 0.002 to 0.05 mol/liter
and preferably from 0.04 to 0.40 mol/liter as a concentration of the
sulfite ion.
As the preservatives for the bleaching/fixing solutions and fixing
solutions, sulfites are generally used. Other substances such as ascorbic
acid, carbonyl bisulfurous adducts, or carbonyl compounds may also be
used. Benzenesulfinic acids are effective, too. In addition, the
bleaching/fixing solutions and fixing solutions may contain buffers,
brightening agents, chelating agents, antifoam agents, and mildewproofing
agents, if desired.
Preferably, the bleaching/fixing solutions and fixing solutions have a pH
in the range from 3 to 10, and more preferably from 4 to 9.
After desilverizing has been carried out in the fixing step and the
bleaching/fixing step, etc., a washing step or a stabilizing step, or
both, are performed, in which the afore-mentioned solution containing
nitrogen dioxide is particularly preferred. The concentration of nitrogen
dioxide is preferably from 1 to 100 pm, and more preferably as much as 2
to 50 ppm.
The replenishing amount of the solutions used in the washing step or in the
stabilizing step may be arbitrarily determined. It is generally as much as
50 ml to 5 liters per m.sup.2 of sensitive material. In order to obtain
more remarkable effects of the present invention, low levels of
replenishing in which 1.0 to 20 times, preferably 2 to 10 times, as much
as the amount of carrying-over from the preceding tank are preferred.
Therefore, assuming that the carrying-over amount from the preceding tank
is generally about 50 ml per m.sup.2 of sensitive material, the actual
replenishing amount is about 50 to 1,000 ml.
In the washing solutions or stabilizing solutions, thiosulfates are
contained in amounts of not less than 1.times.10.sup.-4 mol/liter,
preferably from 1.times.10.sup.-3 to 0.5 mol/liter, and more preferably
from 5.times.10.sup.-3 to 0.1 mol/liter. The thiosulfates may be added
directly to the solutions or alternatively the thiosulfates may be
contained in the preceding fixing solution or bleaching/fixing solution so
as to be carried over by the sensitive material.
When the washing solution and stabilizing solution contained in tanks stay
for a week--for 2 months on average, their effects are more prominent. The
average period of stay is the average period of time for which the
solution stays in the tank. It is equivalent to the number of days needed
for supplementing the replenishing solution in amounts equivalent to the
amounts of solution contained in the tank. The term "amounts of solution
contained in the tank" referred to herein means total amounts if there are
a plurality of tanks for washing solutions and stabilizing solutions. In
order to avoid the degradation of overall photographic characteristics,
average periods of stay should not be too long. For example, in excess of
2 months, photographic characteristics are difficult to maintain.
When the washing solution and/or stabilizing solution contain(s) chlorine
dioxide, the average period of stay of from 1 week to 2 months,
particularly 10 days to 1 month, can provide the most prominent effect in
terms of delayed precipice formation due to the sulfuration of solution.
Replenishing may be performed continuously or intermittently. The solutions
which have been used in the washing and/or stabilizing steps may be used
in their preceding steps. For example, using a multi-stage counterflow
system, overflows of washing solution and stabilizing solution are
introduced to their preceding bleaching/fixing tank or fixing tank and a
concentrated solution is replenished to the bleaching/fixing tank, the
amounts of waste solutions can be reduced.
The amount of washing solution used in the washing step or the amount of
stabilizing solution in the stabilizing step can be determined in a wide
variety of ranges depending on the characteristics (attributed, for
example, to the materials used including couplers) of the sensitive
materials (for example, color film and printing paper), use, temperature
of the solutions, the number of washing tanks (number of stages), the type
of replenishing system such as counter or following current and on other
various conditions. Generally speaking, the number of stages in the
multi-stage counterflow system is preferably from 2 to 6, and particularly
preferably from 2 to 4.
To prevent the propagation of bacteria in the washing solution or
stabilizing solution, the method described in JP-A-SHO62-288,838 is
remarkably effective which uses water containing reduced amounts of
calcium and magnesium ions. Moreover, the washing solution may optionally
contain a surfactant for easy water removal and a chelating agent typified
by EDTA for softening hard water.
After the above-described washing step, or in the absence of the washing
step, the photographic materials undergo a stabilizing step. The
stabilizing solutions contain compounds having image-stabilizing
abilities. Such compounds include aldehyde compounds typified by formalin;
aldehyde-releasing compounds including N-methylolazoles described in
Japanese Patent Application No. HEI3-318,644 such as
hexamethylenetetramlne and N-methylolpyrazole; and azolylmethylamines
including those described in JP-A-HEI4-313,753 such as
N,N'-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)piperazine. To adjust the pH of the surface of
film in a suitable range for stabilizing the dyes, buffers and ammonium
compounds may be used. Moreover, to prevent the propagation of bacteria in
the solutions or to impart mildewproofing properties to the processed
sensitive materials, various bactericides and mildewproofing agents may be
used as desired.
Furthermore, surfactants, brightening agents and hardening agents may also
be added. If the stabilizing step is directly performed without a washing
step, any of the methods described in JP-A-SHO57-8,543, JP-A-SHO58-14,834,
and JP-A-SHO60-220,345 can be used.
In addition, use of a chelating agent such as
1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid and
ethyledediaminetetramethylene phosphonic acid, and magnesium or bismuth
compounds is also preferable.
The pH of the solution in the washing step or the stabilizing step is
preferably 4 to 10, and more preferably from 5 to 8. The processing time
is arbitrarily determined. However, shorter processing time is more
preferable. Preferably, the processing time is from 15 to 105 seconds.
More preferably, it is from 15 seconds to 1 minute.
The processing agents (components) of the processing solutions may be
supplied in a variety of forms. The agents may be supplied in a form of
concentrated liquids containing a single compound or a plurality of
compounds. Alternatively, the agents may be supplied in the form of
powder. Moreover, ready-to-use solutions may be directly supplied and
used. Combinations of the concentrated liquids, powders, and ready-to-use
solutions are also possible.
In use of the photographic processing apparatus for color photosensitive
materials using the preferable processing solutions according to the
present invention, processing steps may be combined in different ways.
Examples of combinations of processing steps generally employed are shown
in FIGS. 6A to 6G. In FIG. 6A, a film processing section 16 comprises a
developing step 120, bleaching step 122, fixing step 124, washing step
126, and a stabilizing step 128, and a printing paper processing section
24 comprises a developing step 130, bleaching/fixing step 132, and a
rinsing step (washing step 134). In each processing step, a single or a
plurality of processing tanks may be used.
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6B, the washing step 126 in the film
processing section 16 may be commonly used by the rinsing step of the
printing paper processing section 24. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6C,
the washing step 126 may be omitted, and the stabilizing step 128 may be
commonly shared by a film processing section 16A and a printing section
24A, wherein the film processing section 16A comprises a developing step
120, bleaching step 122, fixing step 124, and a stabilizing step 128.
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6D, a printing processing section 24B may
comprise a developing step 130, bleaching step 136, fixing step 124, and a
washing step 126, of which the fixing step 124 and the washing step 126
are commonly shared with the film processing section 16. Alternatively, as
shown in FIGS. 6E and 6F, a film processing section 16B may comprise a
developing step 120, bleaching/fixing step 138, and a stabilizing step
128; and a printing paper processing section 24C may comprise a developing
step 130, bleaching/fixing step 132, and a stabilizing step 128, in which
the stabilizing step 128 is commonly shared (see FIG. 6E), or the
bleaching/fixing step 138 and the stabilizing step 128 are shared by the
film processing section 16B and the paper-processing section 24C (see FIG.
6F).
Alternatively, a film processing section 16C may comprise a developing step
120, bleaching/fixing step 138, washing step 126, and a stabilizing step
128; and the washing step 126 may be shared by the film processing section
16c and the print paper processing section 24. The manner of combining the
respective steps is not limited to the above as long as color photographic
film and color printing paper are suitably processed.
Next, a description will be made of color photographic film among the
photosensitive materials which can be used in the photographic processing
apparatus of the present invention.
Although any type of color photographic film can be processed using the
photographic processing apparatus of the present invention, the patent
publications listed in Tables 1 to 5 below, particularly European Patent
No. 355,660 A2 (Japanese Patent Application No. HEI1-107,011) are referred
to for preferable silver halide emulsions and other materials (additives,
etc.), photographic constituting layers (order of layers, etc.), and
methods and additives usable in processing the light-sensitive materials.
TABLE 1
__________________________________________________________________________
Photographic
constituents, EPO
and the like
JP-A-SHO62-215272
JP-A-HEI2-33144
No. 355,660A2
__________________________________________________________________________
Silver halide
Page 10, right upper
Page 28, right upper
Page 45, line 53
emulsions column, line 6 to
column, line 16 to
to page 47, line 3,
page 12, left lower
page 29, right lower
and page 47, line
column, line 5, and
column, line 11, and
20 to line 22
page 12, right lower
page 30, line 2 to
column, 4th line
line 5
from the last line
to page 13, left
upper column, line
17
Silver halide
Page 12, left lower
-- --
solvents column, line 6 to
line 14, and page
13, left upper
column, 3rd line
from the last line
to page 18, left
lower column, the
last line
Chemical sensitizers
Page 12, left lower
Page 29, right lower
Page 47, line 4 to
column, 3rd line
column, line 12 to
line 9
from the last line
line 13
to right lower
column, 5th line
from the last line,
and page 18, right
lower column, line 1
to page 22, right
upper column, 9th
line from the last
line
Spectral sensitizers
Page 22, right upper
Page 30, left upper
Page 47, line 10
(Spectral sensitizing
column, 8th line
column, line 1 to
to line 15
(methods) from the last line
line 13
to page 38, the last
line
Emulsion stabilizers
Page 39, left upper
Page 30, left upper
Page 47, line 16
column, line 1 to
column, line 14 to
to line 19
page 73, right upper
right upper column,
column, the last
line 1
line
Development
Page 72, left lower
-- --
accelerators
column, line 1 to
page 91, right upper
column, line 3
__________________________________________________________________________
TABLE 2
__________________________________________________________________________
Photographic
constituents, EPO
and the like
JP-A-SHO62-215272
JP-A-HEI2-33144
No. 355,660A2
__________________________________________________________________________
Color couplers
Page 91, right upper
Page 3, right upper
Page 4, line 15 to
(Cyan, magenta, yellow
column, line 4 to
column, line 14 to
line 27, page 5,
couplers) page 121, left upper
page 18, left upper
line 30 to page 28,
column, line 6
column, the last
the last line, page
line and page 30,
45, line 29 to line
right upper column,
31, and page 47,
line 6 to page 35,
line 23 to page 63,
right lower column,
line 50
line 11
Color increasing
Page 121, left upper
-- --
agents column, line 7 to
page 121, right
upper column, line 1
UV absorbers
Page 125, right
Page 37, right upper
Page 65, line 22 to
upper column, line 2
column, line 14 to
line 31
to page 127, left
page 38, left upper
lower column, the
column, line 11
last line
Anti-fading agents
Page 127, right
Page 36, right upper
Page 4, line 30 to
(Image stabilizers)
lower column, line 1
column, line 12 to
page 5, line 23,
to page 137, left
page 37, left upper
page 29, line 1 to
lower column, the
column, line 19
page 45, line 25,
last line page 45, line 33 to
line 40, and
page 65, line 2 to
line 21
High B.P. and/or low
Page 137, left lower
Page 35, right lower
Page 64, line 1
B.P. organic solvents
column, line 9 to
column, line 14 to
to line 51
page 144, right
page 36, left lower
lower column, the
column, 4th line
last line from the last line
Method of dispersing
Page 144, left lower
Page 27, right lower
Page 65, line 51
photographic
column, line 1 to
column, line 10 to
to page 64, line
additives page 146, right
page 28, left upper
56
upper column, line 7
column, the last
line and page 35,
right lower column,
line 12, to page 36
right upper column,
line 7
__________________________________________________________________________
TABLE 3
__________________________________________________________________________
Photographic
constituents, EPO
and the like
JP-A-SHO62-215272
JP-A-HEI2-33144
No. 355,660A2
__________________________________________________________________________
Hardening agents
Page 146, -- --
upper column, line 8
to page 155, left
lower column, line 4
Developing agent
Page 155, left lower
-- --
precursors column, line 5 to
page 155, right
lower column, line 2
Development inhibitor
Page 155, right
-- --
releasing compounds
lower column, line 3
to line 9
Supports Page 155, right
Page 36, right upper
Page 66, line 29
lower column, line
column, line 18 to
to page 67, line
19 to page 156, left
page 39, left upper
13
upper column, line
column, line 3
14
Constitution of
Page 156, left upper
Page 28, right upper
Page 45, line 41
sensitive material
column, line 15 to
column , line 1 to
to line 52
layers page 156, line 15
lower column, line
14
Dyes Page 156, right
Page 38, left upper
Page 66, line 18
lower column, line
column, line 12 to
to line 22
15 to page 184,
right upper column,
right lower column,
line 7
the last line
Color mixing
Page 185, left upper
Page 36, right upper
Page 64, line 57
inhibitors column, line 1 to
column, line 8 to
to page 65, line 1
page 188, right
line 11
lower column, line 3
Gradation adjusting
Page 188, right
-- --
agents lower column, line 4
to line 8
__________________________________________________________________________
TABLE 4
__________________________________________________________________________
Photographic
constituents, EPO
and the like
JP-A-SHO62-215272
JP-A-HEI2-33144
No. 355,660A2
__________________________________________________________________________
Antistain agents
Page 188, right
Page 37, left upper
Page 65, line 32 to
lower column, line 9
column, the last
page 66, line 17
to page 193, right
line to right lower
lower column, line
column, line 13
10
Surfactants
Page 201, left lower
Page 18, right upper
--
column, line 1 to
column, line 1 to
page 210, right
page 24, right lower
upper column, the
column, the last
last line line, and page 27,
left lower column,
10th line from the
last line to right
lower column, line
9
Fluorine-containing
Page 210, left lower
Page 25, left upper
--
compounds (For use
column, line 1 to
column, line 1 to
as antistatic agents,
page 222, left lower
page 27, right upper
coating aids, lubri-
column, line 5
column, line 9
cants, antiadhesive
agents, etc.)
Binders Page 222, left lower
Page 38, right upper
Page 66, line 23 to
(Hydrophilic colloids)
column, line 6 to
column, line 8 to
line 28
page 225, left upper
line 18
column, the last
line
Thickeners Page 225, right
-- --
upper column, line 1
to page 227, right
upper column, line 2
Antistatic agents
Page 227, right
-- --
upper column, line 3
to page 230, left
upper column, line 1
__________________________________________________________________________
TABLE 5
__________________________________________________________________________
Photographic
constituents EPO
and the like
JP-A-SHO62-215272
JP-A-HEI2-33144
No. 355,660A2
__________________________________________________________________________
Polymer latex
Page 230, left
-- --
upper column, line 2
to page 239, the
last line
Matte agents
Page 240, left upper
-- --
column, line 1 to
page 240, right
upper column, the
last line
Photographic
Page 3, right upper
Page 39, left upper
Page 67, line 14 to
processing methods
column, line 7 to
column, line 4 to
page 69, line 28
(processing steps,
page 10, right upper
page 42, left upper
additives, etc)
column, line 5
column, the last
line
__________________________________________________________________________
Note: The cited portions of JPA-62-215272 include portions which have bee
amended by an amendment dated March 16, 1987, which is appended to the en
of the published specification. Further, it is preferable to use, as
yellow couplers among the above mentioned color couplers, socalled yellow
couplers of a short wavelength type, which are disclosed in JPA-63-231451
JPA-63-123047, JPA-63-241547, JPA-1-173499, JPA-1-213648 and JPA-1-250944
In the photosensitive materials, color photographic films to which the
present invention is preferably applied are prepared using emulsions of a
variety of silver halides including silver iodobromide, silver
iodochloride, silver iodochlorobromide, silver chlorobromide, silver
bromide, and silver chloride. It is particularly preferred that the films
include at least one layer of an emulsion containing silver halide
particles not less than 90 mol % of which is silver chloride. More
preferably, the emulsion contains from 95 to 99.9 mol % or more.
Particularly preferably, all the emulsion layers contain chlorobromide
emulsions composed of 98 to 99.9 mol % of silver chloride. The amount of
silver used for coating the films is not particularly limited, but it is
preferably from 0.2 to 15 g/m.sup.2, and more preferably from 0.4 to 0.5
g/m.sup.2.
When the photographic films are color films, they may contain a variety of
couplers. Detailed information of such couplers is shown in Table 2.
Regarding cyan couplers, preferable examples thereof include
diphenylimidazole cyan couplers described in JP-A-HEI2-33,144,
3-hydroxypyridine cyan couplers described in European Patent No. 0,333,185
A2 (particularly, couplers obtained by incorporating leaving chlorine into
the 4-equivalent couplers of coupler (42) listed in this publication and
converting them into 2-equivalent couplers; coupler (6); and coupler (9)
being preferred) and cyclic active methylene cyan couplers described in
JP-A-SHO64-32,260 (particularly, coupler Nos. 3, 8, and 34 are preferred).
In an attempt to improve the sharpness of images on photographic film, it
is preferable that decolorable dyes (particularly oxonole dyes) which have
undergone the processing described in European Patent No. 0,337,490 A2,
pages 27-76 are incorporated into hydrophilic colloidal layers so that the
optical reflective concentration of the film at 680 nm is equal to or
greater than 0.70. Alternatively, it is also preferable that waterproof
resin layers of the support contain titanium dioxide particles which have
been surface-treated with dihydric or tetrahydric alcohols (such as
trimethylolethane) in amounts not less than 12% by weight (more preferably
not less than 14% by weight).
Color films preferably contain compounds for improving dye-image
storability disclosed, for example, in European Patent No. 0,277,589 A2
along with couplers, such as preferably pyrazoloazole couplers.
That is, combined or single use of the following compounds (F) and/or (G)
is preferable for preventing generation of stain and other adverse side
effects causable by the formation of color-developing dyes as a result of
the reaction of couplers and color developers or their oxidized products
left in the film, the reaction being causable during storage after
processing.
The compound (F): It can be chemically bound to a primary developer of
aromatic amine remaining after the color developing process so as to
produce a chemically inert and substantially colorless compound.
The compound (G): It can be chemically bound to an oxidized primary color
developer of aromatic amine remaining after the color developing process
so as to produce a chemically inert and substantially colorless compound.
Preferably, the photographic film contains mildewproofing agents described,
for example, in JP-A-SHO63-271,247 to prevent propagation of mold and
bacteria in hydrophilic colloidal layers, causing degradation of
photographic images.
The thickness of the photographic film (color film), excluding that of the
support, is preferably equal to or less than 25 .mu.m in a dry state. When
such film is processed using the photographic processing apparatus of the
present invention, excellent processing effects can be obtained. The
thickness of the support is preferably from 5 to 20 .mu.m, and more
preferably from 6 to 17 .mu.m. Although the thickness can be reduced by
diminishing the amounts of gelatin, silver, oils, couplers, etc, the most
preferable way to achieve it is to reduce the gelatin amount. The film
thickness is measured by a routine method after allowing a sample to stand
at 25.degree. C. and 60 RH % for 2 weeks.
Photographic film preferably has a swelling degree from 1.5 to 4.0 to
improve stain and image storability. If it is in the range from 1.5 to
3.0, more enhanced effects can be obtained. The degree of swelling is
expressed by the value obtained by dividing the thickness of a
photographic layer after soaking it in 33.degree. C. distilled water for 2
minutes by the thickness of the photographic layer in a dry state.
The photographic layer comprises at least one sensitive silver halide
emulsion layer and hydrophilic colloidal layers with water-absorbing
capacity in contact with the emulsion layer, the emulsion layer and the
hydrophilic colloidal layer being superposed on one another. A backing
layer, which is provided opposite to the photosensitive layer(s) with
respect to a support is not a photographic layer. The photographic layer
is generally composed of a plurality of layers which take part in the
formation of photographic images, including an intermediate layer, a
filter layer, an antihalation layer, and a protective layer.
In order to obtain a degree of swelling in the above ranges, any method can
be used. For example, the amount or kind of gelatin and hardeners, drying
conditions, and other time-dependent conditions after coating of a
photographic layer may be changed to regulate the swelling. In the
photographic layer, gelatin is preferably used. Hydrophilic colloidal
substances than gelatin, however, may be used as well, which include
gelatin derivatives, graft polymers of gelatin and other polymers,
proteins such as albumin and casein, cellulose derivatives such as
hydroxyethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, and cellulose sulfates,
saccharide derivatives such as sodium alginate and starch derivatives, a
wide variety of synthetic hydrophilic polymers such as homopolymers and
copolymers including polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol which partially
has acetal, poly-N-vinylpyrrolidone, polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic
acid, polyacrylic amide, polyvinyl imidazole, and polyvinyl pyrazole.
The gelatin may be acid-treated gelatin as well as lime-treated gelatin.
Gelatin hydrolyzates and enzyme-decomposed products of gelatin may also be
used. As the gelatin derivatives, those obtained by reacting gelatin with,
for example, acid halides, acid anhydrides, isocyanates, bromoacetic acid,
alkanesultones, vinylsulfonic amides, maleic imides, polyalkylene oxides
and epoxy compounds may be used.
The above-mentioned graft polymers of gelatin include those obtained by
graft polymerization of gelatin and a homopolymer or copolymer of a vinyl
monomer such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, and derivatives of acrylic
acid and methacrylic acid (such as esters and amides), acrylonitrile, and
styrene. It is preferred that polymers with a certain level of miscibility
with gelatin be used. Examples of the polymers include acrylic acid,
methacrylic acid, acrylic amide, methacrylic amide, hydroxyacrylic
methacrylate. Examples of them are found, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos.
2,763,625, 2,831,767 and 2,956,884. Typical examples of synthetic
hydrophilic polymers are found, for example, in German Patent Publication
(OLS) No. 2,312,708, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,620,751, 3,879,205, and
JP-B-SHO43-7,561.
Examples of the hardeners include chromium salts (such as chromium alum and
chromium acetate), aldehydes (such as formaldehyde, glyoxal, and
glutaraldehyde), N-methylol compounds (such as dimethylol urea and
methylol dimethylhydantoin), dioxane derivatives (such as
2,3-dihydroxydioxane), active vinyl compounds (such as
1,3,5--triacryloyl-hexahydro-s-triazine and bis(vinylsulfonyl)methylether,
N,N'-methylenebis-[(.beta.-vinylsulfonyl)propionamide], active halogen
compounds (such as 2,4-dichloro-6-hydroxy-s-triazine), mucohalogenic acids
(such as mucochloric acid and mucophenoxychloric acid), isooxazoles,
dialdehyde starches, and 2-chloro-6-hydroxytriazinyl gelatin. They are
used singly or in combination.
Particularly preferable hardeners are aldehydes, active vinyl compounds,
and active halogen compounds.
The support used for preparing color photographic film may be a white
polyester support for improved displays, or it may be one in which a layer
containing white pigments is provided on the support on the side having a
silver halide emulsion layer. In order to further improve sharpness, an
antihalation layer is preferably provided by coating onto the support on
the side of silver halide emulsion layer or on the back side. Especially,
the transmission density of the support is preferably set to fall in the
range from 0.35 to 0.8 for allowing displays to be appreciated by
reflected light or transmitted light.
The photographic film can be exposed with visible light. Alternatively, it
may be exposed with infrared rays. Exposure may be performed under either
low illumination intensity or high illumination intensity for short time.
Especially in the latter case, a laser scanning exposure system is
recommended in which the exposure time is shorter than 10.sup.-4 seconds
per pixel.
In the step of exposure, a hand-stop filter described in U.S. Pat. No.
4,880,726 is preferably used. This removes light amalgamation to
significantly improve color reproduction.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following description and the
appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in
which preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown by way of
illustrative example.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying
drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the structure of a
photographic processing apparatus to which an embodiment of the present
invention can be applied;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of piping which shows circulation of
processing solutions of the photographic processing apparatus according to
the embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a heat source
used in the embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a control section which controls the
temperatures of the processing solutions of the photographic processing
apparatus;
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of another piping arrangement which can be
used in the photographic processing apparatus; and
FIGS. 6A-6G are block diagrams showing various combination of processing
stages of a film processing section and a printing paper processing
section which can be applied to the photographic processing apparatus
according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 shows a photographic processing apparatus 10 to which an embodiment
of the present invention can be applied. The photographic processing
apparatus 10 includes a film processing section 16, an image exposure
section 22, and a printing paper processing section 24, which are
integrally housed in an unillustrated casing. In the film processing
section 16, for example, a negative color photographic film (hereinafter
referred to as "negative film 12") on which images have been photographed
is pulled out from a cartridge 14 and developed. In the image exposure
section 22, a rolled color printing paper (hereinafter referred to as
"printing paper 20") is pulled out from a magazine 18 and is subjected to
exposure according to images recorded on the developed negative film 12.
In the printing paper processing section 24, the printing paper 20 which
has undergone the exposure is subjected to a developing process.
In FIG. 1, the film processing section 16 and the printing paper processing
section 24 are illustrated as being separated to show the internal
structure of the photographic processing apparatus 10.
In the film processing section 16, a developing tank 26 for storing a
developing solution, a bleaching tank 28 for storing a bleaching solution,
first and second fixing tanks 30 and 32 for respectively storing a fixing
solution, a wash tank 34 for storing washing water, and first and second
stabilizing bath tanks 36 and 38 for respectively storing a stabilizer are
successively arranged. A drying compartment 42 and a reservoir section 44
are provided on the downstream side of the second stabilizing bath tank
38.
The negative film 12 pulled out of the cartridge 14 is conveyed by an
unillustrated conveying means to successively pass through the developing
tank 26, the bleaching tank 28, the first fixing tank 30, the second
fixing tank 32, the wash tank 34, the first stabilizing bath tank 36 and
the second stabilizing bath tank 38, so that the negative film 12 is
processed by the developing solution, the bleaching solution, the fixing
solution, the washing water, and the stabilizer. After the processing, the
negative film 12 is conveyed to the drying compartment 42 in which dry air
produced by a heater and a drying fan (both are not illustrated) is jetted
to the negative film 12 to dry it. The negative film 12 is thereafter fed
to the reservoir section 44.
The negative film 12 which has undergone the developing process is pulled
into the image exposure section 22 from the reservoir section 44 while the
printing paper 20 is pulled into the image exposure section 22 from the
magazine 18 so as to successively print on the printing paper 20 images
recorded on the negative film 12. The image exposure section 22 can employ
various exposing methods such as a slit exposing method in which images
recorded on the negative film 12 is printed on the printing paper 20 by
exposure while the negative film 12 and the printing paper 20 are conveyed
at predetermined speeds, respectively, and a method in which images
recorded on the negative film 12 are read by an image detecting means, and
the read images are printed on the printing paper 20 by a laser beam or
the like which scans the printing paper. After the completion of the
exposure, the printing paper 20 is fed out to a reservoir section 46
provided between the image exposure section 22 and the printing paper
processing section 24.
In the printing paper processing section 24, a developing tank 48 for
storing a developing solution for the printing paper 20, a
bleaching/fixing tank 50 for storing a bleaching/fixing solution, and
first, second and third rinsing tanks 52, 54 and 56 for respectively
storing a rinsing solution are arranged. A drying compartment 58 is
provided on the downstream side of the third rinsing tank 56 in the
conveying direction of the printing paper. The printing paper 20 which has
been fed out to the reservoir section 46 after exposure is conveyed by an
unillustrated conveying means to the printing paper processing section 24
in which the printing paper 20 is successively passed through the
developing tank 48, the bleaching/fixing tank 50, the first rinsing tank
52, the second rinsing tank 54 and the third rinsing tank 56, so that the
printing paper 20 is processed by the developing solution, the
bleaching/fixing solution, and the rinsing solution. After the processing
by the processing solutions, the printing paper 20 is conveyed through the
drying compartment 58 in which dry air produced by a heater and a drying
fan (both unillustrated) is jetted to the printing paper 20 to dry it.
After the drying process, the printing paper 20 is cut, for example, in a
frame-by-frame fashion, and is discharged as photographic prints.
The processing solutions stored in the processing tanks of the film
processing section 16 and the printing paper processing section 24 are
circulated by a circulating means so that they are uniformly stirred.
Also, the processing solutions are heated by a heating means such that the
temperatures thereof are maintained within predetermined temperature
ranges.
FIG. 2 schematically shows the piping of the photographic processing
apparatus 10. The piping is provided to circulate and heat the processing
solutions in the processing tanks. In the photographic printing apparatus
10, subtanks 60 and 62 are provided in the vicinity of the development
tank 26 of the film processing section 16 and the development tank 48 of
the printing paper processing section 24, respectively. Also, subtanks
64A-64J are provided in the vicinity of the bleaching tank 28, the first
fixing tank 30, the second fixing tank 32, the wash tank 34, the first
stabilizing bath tank 36 and the second stabilizing bath tank 38 of the
film processing section 16, and the bleaching/fixing tank 50, the first
rinsing tank 52, the second rinsing tank 54 and the third rinsing tank 56
of the printing paper processing section 24. Hereinafter, these tanks are
referred to as "processing tanks" when they are generally referred.
The processing tanks are separated from the subtanks 60, 62 and 64A-64J by
unillustrated filters such that the processing solutions can pass through
the filters. One end of pipes 66, 68 and 70A-70J is opened to the bottoms
of the processing tanks while the other end of the pipes 66, 68 and
70A-70J is opened to the upper portions of the subtanks 60, 62 and
64A-64J.
Circulating pumps 72, 74 and 76A-76J are provided in the middle of the
pipes 66, 68 and 70A-70J, respectively. When the circulating pumps 72, 74
and 76A-76J are operated, the processing solutions are sucked from the
processing tanks by the circulating pumps 72, 74 and 76A-76J and are
returned to the subtanks 60, 62 and 64A-64J, whereby circulation of the
processing solutions and agitation of the processing solutions in the
processing tanks are carried out. When the processing solutions flow from
the subtanks 60, 62 and 64A-64J to corresponding processing tanks,
floating substances and the like are filtered off by the unillustrated
filters.
Cartridge heaters 78 and 80 are attached to the pipe 66 communicating with
the developing tank 26 of the film processing section 16 and the pipe 68
communicating with the developing tank 48 of the printing paper processing
section 24 on the downstream sides of the circulating pumps 72 and 74,
respectively, and cooling fans 82 and 84 are provided in the vicinity of
the cartridge heaters 78 and 80.
As shown in FIG. 4, the circulating pumps 72 and 74, the cartridge heaters
78 and 80, and the cooling fans 82 and 84 are connected to a control unit
86. Temperature sensors 88A and 88B attached to the subtanks 60 and 62 are
also connected to the control unit 86.
The control unit 86 operates the circulating pumps 72 and 74 and the
cartridge heaters 78 and 80 to circulate the developing solutions while
heating them, and operates the cooling fans 82 and 84 when necessary, so
that the developing solutions are respectively maintained at predetermined
temperatures.
A flow meter 90 is provided in the middle of the pipe 66 communicating with
the developing tank 26 of the film processing section 16 and is connected
to the control unit 86. The circulating pump 72 is controlled by means of
the flow meter 90 such that the circulation, per a unit time, of the
developing solution in the developing tank 26 is essential constant. This
operation prevents the occurrence of developer streaks of the negative
film 12 which would occur when the circulation of the developing solution
in the developing tank 26 of the film processing section 16 is too large
or too small.
As shown in FIG. 2, the pipes 70A-70J communicating with the bleaching tank
28 through the second stabilizing bath tank 38 of the film processing
section 16 and the bleaching/fixing tank 50 through the third rinsing tank
56 of the printing paper processing section 24 are coupled together at
their intermediate portions by a metal block 104 of a cast heater 100. The
metal block 104 has a high thermal conductivity.
As shown in FIG. 3, the metal block 104 of the cast heater 100 has a
prismatic shape, and a heater unit 102 is arranged at the center of the
metal block 104. The pipes 70A-70J penetrate the metal block 104 such that
they are disposed at the same distances from the heater unit 102 and they
are separated from each other by a uniform distance. The metal block 104
integrally couples parts of the pipes 70A-70J.
As shown in FIG. 4, the circulating pumps 76A-76J and the cast heater 100
are connected to the control unit 86. Also, temperature sensors 92A-92J
provided in the subtanks 64A-64J are connected to the control unit 86.
The control unit 86 operates the circulating pumps 76A-76J, and supplies
electricity to the heater unit 102 of the cast heater 100 to heat the
processing solutions which pass through the pipes 70A-70J. Also, a cooling
fan 106 for cooling the cast heater 100 is connected to the control unit
86. When the temperature of any of the processing solutions exceeds a
predetermined temperature, the cooling fan 106 is operated to cool the
processing solutions.
The control unit 86 maintains the temperatures of the developing solutions
of the film processing section 16 and the printing paper processing
section 24 to be in the range of 42.+-.0.5.degree. C., and maintains the
temperatures of the processing solutions in the bleaching tank 28 and the
subsequent tanks of the film processing section 16 and the temperatures of
the processing solutions in the bleaching/fixing tank 50 and subsequent
tanks of the printing paper processing section 24 to be in the range of
38.+-.0.5.degree. C., by means of the cast heater 100.
Specifically, the control unit 86 detects the temperatures of the
processing solutions in the processing tanks by means of the temperature
sensors 92A-92J. The unit turns off the heater unit 102 when one of the
processing solutions heated by the cast heater 100 exceeds the
above-described temperature range. The cooling fan 106 is operated when
necessary. In the event that none of the processing solutions exceeds a
preset temperature even after a predetermined period of time has elapsed,
the cooling fan 106 is stopped so that all the processing solutions are
maintained within the predetermined temperature range by mutual heat
exchange among the processing solutions, and the processing solutions are
heated by the heater unit 102 to a degree such that the temperatures of
the processing solutions do not exceed the preset temperature.
Unillustrated over-heat protectors such as thermostats are provided inside
the cartridge heaters 78 and 80 and the cast heater 100 so as to shut off
the power when they excessively heat.
The photographic processing apparatus 10 employs a so-called counter-flow
system in which the developing tank 26, the bleaching tank 28, the second
fixing tank 32, the wash tank 34 and the second stabilizing bath tank 38
are respectively replenished with developing solution, bleaching solution,
washing water and stabilizer in accordance with the processing amount of
the negative film 12, by an unillustrated replenishing mechanism, and
excess part of the fixing solution supplied to the second fixing tank 32
is allowed to flow into the first fixing tank 30 while excess part of the
stabilizer supplied to the second stabilizing bath tank 38 is allowed to
flow into the first stabilizing bath tank 36. Excessive part of the
processing solutions supplied to the developing tank 26, the bleaching
tank 28, the first fixing tank 30, the wash tank 34 and the first
stabilizing bath tank 36 are drained via unillustrated overflow pipes.
Like the film processing section 16, the printing paper processing section
24 employs a counter-flow system in which the developing tank 48, the
bleaching/fixing tank 50 and the third rinsing tank 56 are respectively
replenished with replenishing solutions in accordance with the processing
amount of the printing paper 20, and excess part of the rinsing solution
supplied to the third rinsing tank 56 is allowed to flow into the second
rinsing tank 54 while excess part of the rinsing solution supplied to the
second rinsing tank 54 is allowed to flow into the first rinsing tank 52.
Excessive part of the processing solutions supplied to the developing tank
48, the bleaching/fixing tank 50 and the first rinsing tank 52 are drained
via unillustrated overflow pipes.
In the film processing section 16 and the printing paper processing section
24, the replenishment is performed in accordance with the passage of time
as well as the replenishment based on the processing amounts of the
negative film 12 and the printing paper 20.
Next, the processing steps and the processing solutions used in the
photographic processing apparatus 10 will be described. First, in the film
processing section 16, the processing steps, the processing times, the
temperatures of the processing solutions, the replenishing amounts of the
processing solutions, and the capacities of the processing tanks (tank
capacities) are set as follows:
______________________________________
Replenishing
Capacity of
Processing step
Time Temp. amount tank
______________________________________
Development
90 sec. 42.degree. C.
23 ml 17 liters
Bleaching 40 sec. 38.degree. C.
5 ml 5 liters
Fixing (1) 40 sec. 38.degree. C.
-- 5 liters
Fixing (2) 40 sec. 38.degree. C.
16 ml 5 liters
Washing 20 sec. 38.degree. C.
34 ml 3 liters
Stabilizing (1)
20 sec. 38.degree. C.
-- 3 liters
Stabilizing (2)
20 sec. 38.degree. C.
20 ml 3 liters
(Drying 1 min. 60.degree. C.)
______________________________________
The replenishing amount is shown as an amount per 1.1 m of the negative
film 12 having 35 mm width (corresponding to a single strip, i.e. one roll
of 24 Ex film).
The stabilizer reversely flows from the second stabilizing bath tank 38 to
the first stabilizing bath tank 36. In order to replenish into the first
fixing tank 30, a cut-away portion is formed in the upper portion of the
bleaching tank 28 and the upper portion of the second fixing tank 32 so
that the overflown portions of the replenishing solutions supplied to the
bleaching tank 28 and the second fixing tank 32 flow into the first fixing
tank 30. The crossover period from the time when the negative film 12
comes out of the processing solution in one of the processing tanks to the
time when the negative film 12 enters the processing solution in the
downstream processing tank is 6 seconds. This crossover period is included
in the processing time of the preceding step. The replenishing solutions
were the same as the processing solutions in the tanks.
Next, the compositions of the processing solutions will be described. In
general, these processing solutions are the above-described processing
solutions which are preferably used in the present invention.
______________________________________
(g)
______________________________________
Developing solution (color developing solution)
Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid
2.0
1-Hydroxyethylidene-1,1- 2.0
diphosphonic acid
Sodium sulfite 3.9
Potassium carbonate 37.5
Potassium bromide 1.4
Potassium iodide 1.3 mg
Hydroxylamine sulfate 2.4
2-Methyl-4-[N-ethyl-N-(.beta.-hydroxy
6.0
ethyl)amino]aniline sulfate
Total amount after adding water
1.0 liter
pH (adjusted with potassium
10.05
hydroxide and sulfuric acid)
Bleaching solution
1,3-Diaminopropane 130
iron(III)tetraacetate ammonium.H.sub.2 O
Ammonium bromide 80
Ammonium nitrate 15
Hydroxyacetic acid 25
Acetic acid 40
Total amount after adding water
1.0 liter
pH (adjusted with ammonia water)
4.4
Fixing solution
Ammonium sulfite 19
Ammonium thiosulfate solution
280 ml
(700 g/liter)
Imidazole 15
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid
15
Total amount after adding water
1.0 liter
pH (adjusted with ammonia water
4.4
and acetic acid)
______________________________________
The fixing solution is stored in the second fixing tank 32. The first
fixing tank 30 is filled with a mixture (pH 7.0) serving as a
bleaching/fixing solution which is obtained by mixing the above-described
bleaching solution and fixing solution at a ratio of 15:85 (ratio by
volume).
Washing Water
Tap water was passed through a mixture-bed column filled with an H-type
strongly acidic cation exchange resin (Amber light IR-120B, Rohm & Haas
Co.) and an OH-type strongly basic anion exchange resin (Amber light
IR-400, Rohm & Haas Co.) to make the concentrations of calcium and
magnesium ions not more than 3 mg/liter. Subsequently, 20 mg/liter of
sodium dichloric isocyanurate and 150 mg/liter of sodium sulfate were
added thereto. The pH of the water was adjusted to be within the range of
6.5-7.5.
______________________________________
Stabilizing solution (g)
______________________________________
Sodium p-toluene sulfonate
0.03
Polyoxyethylene-p- 0.2
monononylphenylether
(average polymerization degree: 10)
Disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate
0.05
1,2,4-Triazole 1.3
1,4-Bis(1,2,4-triazole-1-ylmethyl)
0.75
piperazine
Total amount after adding water
1.0 liter
pH 8.5
______________________________________
Next, in the processing steps for the printing paper 20, the temperatures
of the processing solutions, the processing time of each processing step
and the composition of each processing solution are shown below:
______________________________________
Processing step Temperature
Time
______________________________________
Development 42.degree. C.
25 sec.
Bleaching/fixing 38.degree. C.
25 sec.
Rinsing (1) 38.degree. C.
20 sec.
Rinsing (2) 38.degree. C.
20 sec.
Rinsing (3) 38.degree. C.
20 sec.
(Drying 80.degree. C.
40 sec.)
______________________________________
(As described above, the rinsing solution reversely flows from the third
rinsing tank 56 to the first rising tank 52.)
______________________________________
Developing solution
Water 800 ml
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid
3.0 g
Disodium 4,5-dihydroxybenzene-1,3-
0.5 g
disulfonate
Triethanolamine 12.0 g
Potassium chloride 10.0 g
Potassium bromide 0.03 g
Potassium carbonate 27.0 g
Brightening agent 1.0 g
(WHITEX 4, Sumitomo Chemical Co.)
Sodium sulfite 0.1 g
Disodium-N,N-bis(sulfonatoethyl)
5.0 g
hydroxylamine
Sodium triisopropylnaphtalene
0.1 g
(.beta.)sulfonate
N-Ethyl-N-(.beta.-methanesulfonamide
7.0 g
ethyl)-3-methyl-4-aminoaniline
3/2 sulfuric acid.1H.sub.2 O
Total amount after adding water
1.0 liter
pH (25.degree. C., adjusted with potassium
10.20
hydroxide and sulfuric acid)
Bleaching/fixing solution
Water 600 ml
Ammonium thiosulfate (750 g/liter)
93 ml
Ammonium sulfite 40 g
Iron (III) (ethylenediamine-
55 g
tetraacetate) ammonium
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid
5 g
Nitric acid (67%) 30 g
Total amount after adding water
1.0 liter
pH (25.degree. C., adjusted with
5.8
acetic acid and ammonia water)
Rinsing solution
Sodium chlorinated isocyanurate
0.02 g
Deionized water 1000 ml
(conductivity: not more than 5 .mu.s/cm)
pH 6.5
______________________________________
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
When an unillustrated power switch of the photographic processing apparatus
10 is turned on, a start-up operation is started. In the start-up
operation, the control unit 86 turns on the cartridge heaters 78 and 80
and the cast heater 100 and operates the circulating pumps 72, 74 and
76A-76J, so that all the processing solutions of the film processing
section 16 and the printing paper processing section 24 are heated
respectively to predetermined temperatures. When the processing solutions
reach their respective predetermined temperatures, the cartridge heaters
78 and 80, the cast heater 100, and the cooling fans 82, 84 and 106 are
controlled in an on-and-off manner to maintain the temperatures of the
processing solutions within respective predetermined temperature ranges
(in the present embodiment, the developing solutions are maintained at
42.+-.0.5.degree. C., and the remaining processing solutions are
maintained at 38.+-.0.5.degree. C.).
After the processing solutions of the film processing section 16 and the
printing paper processing section 24 reach the predetermined temperatures
and the start-up operation of the apparatus is completed, the development
of the negative film 12 is started.
In the film processing section 16, the negative film 12 which has been
exposed is pulled out from the cartridge 14 and is fed into the developing
tank 26 in which the negative film 12 is immersed in the developing
solution which is stored in the developing tank 26 and is maintained at a
predetermined temperature. Thereafter, the negative film 12 pulled out
from the developing tank 26 is successively immersed in the bleaching
solution, the fixing solution, the washing water and the stabilizer, which
are maintained at the predetermined temperatures. After dry air is jetted
to the negative film 12 in the drying compartment 42 so as to dry the
negative film, it is fed out to the reservoir section 44.
In the image exposure section 22, the negative film 12 which has undergone
the development and drying is pulled in from the reservoir section 44
while the printing paper 20 is pulled out from the magazine 18 so as to
print on the printing paper 20 images recorded on the negative film 12.
The printing paper 20 is then fed to the reservoir section 46.
The printing paper 20 which has been fed to the reservoir section 46 after
exposure is pulled into the printing paper processing section 24 so as to
immerse the printing paper into the developing solution, the
bleaching/fixing solution and the rinsing solution, which are maintained
at the predetermined temperatures, respectively. After the developing,
bleaching/fixing and rinsing processes, the printing paper 20 is dried in
the drying compartment 58 and discharged therefrom. The printing paper 20
discharged from the drying compartment 58 is cut in a frame-by-frame
fashion, so that photographic prints corresponding to the images recorded
on the negative film 12 can be obtained.
In the photographic processing apparatus 10, the developing solution in the
developing tank 26 used for developing the negative film 12 and the
developing solution in the developing tank 48 used for developing the
printing paper 20 are maintained at the predetermined temperatures
(42.+-.0.5.degree. C.) by the cartridge heaters 78 and 80 and the cooling
fans 82 and 84, respectively, and the developing solutions are replenished
in accordance with the processing amounts of the negative film 12 and the
printing paper 20. Accordingly, the negative film 12 and the printing
paper 20 can be processed under constant and optimal conditions from
beginning to end. Especially, since the circulation amount of the
developing solution in the film processing section 16 is maintained
constant by using the flow meter 90, unevenness in the finished negative
film 12 caused by excessive or insufficient circulation does not occur.
In the photographic processing apparatus 10, the bleaching solution, fixing
solution, washing water and stabilizer of the film processing section 16,
and the bleaching/fixing solution and rinsing solution of the printing
paper processing section 24 are maintained at a constant temperature
(38.+-.0.5.degree. C.) by the cast heater 100 and the cooling fan 106 so
as to process with constant quality the negative film 12 and the printing
paper 20 which have been immersed in the developing solutions. That is,
the bleaching solution, the fixing solution, the washing water, and the
stabilizer into which the negative film 12 is immersed for processing, and
the bleaching/fixing solution and the rinsing solution into which the
printing paper 20 is immersed for processing are heated by the single cast
heater 100, thereby controlling the temperatures thereof.
In the conventional apparatus, a heater is provided for each processing
solution or each processing tank to heat the bleaching solution, fixing
solution, washing water and stabilizer of the film processing section 16,
and the bleaching/fixing solution and rinsing solution of the printing
paper processing section 24. By contrast, in the photographic processing
apparatus 10, these six kinds of processing solutions are heated using the
single cast heater 100. This greatly reduce the number of the heaters. As
shown in FIG. 3, the pipes 70A-70J for circulating the processing
solutions are bundled and coupled by the metal block 104 of the cast
heater 100 without separately attaching heaters to the pipes 70A-70J.
Hence, the pipes 70A-70J can be arranged in order inside the apparatus.
Also, the internal structure of the apparatus can be simplified.
When the processing tanks which store processing solutions having different
temperatures are arranged close to each other, the temperatures of the
processing solutions affect each other, making the temperature control
difficult. Accordingly, the processing tanks must be separated from each
other to reduce the influence caused from differences in temperature among
the processing solutions in the processing tanks. This makes it difficult
to reduce the size of the apparatus in which the film processing section
and the printing paper processing section are integrally arranged.
By contrast, in the photographic processing apparatus 10, the developing
solution of the film processing section 16 and the developing solution of
the printing paper processing section 24 are both maintained at 42.degree.
C., and the processing solutions of the film processing section 16 and the
printing paper processing section 24 except the developing solutions are
maintained at 38.degree. C. Accordingly, even when the processing tanks
which store different processing solutions are arranged close to each
other, the temperature of one processing solution is prevented from
affecting the temperatures of other processing solutions. Hence, the film
processing section 16 and the printing paper processing section 24 can be
arranged close to each other, which eliminates the necessity of a
clearance between the film processing section 16 and the printing paper
processing section 24, thereby making it possible to reduce the overall
size of the apparatus.
To maintain the plurality of processing solutions at the predetermined
temperatures by using the cast heater 100, the heater unit 102 is turned
on when the temperature of one of the processing solutions becomes lower
than the predetermined temperature range, and is turned off when the
temperature of one of the processing solutions reaches the upper limit of
the predetermined temperature range. When the temperature of one of the
processing solutions exceeds the predetermined temperature range, the fan
106 is turned on to cool off the metal block 104. Therefore, the control
unit 86 is not required to individually control the temperatures of the
plurality of processing solutions, so that the temperature control for the
processing solutions becomes considerably simple.
Among the processing solutions flowing through the pipes 70A-70J, if a
processing solution or processing solutions have temperatures higher than
that of the metal block 104, the temperatures of such processing solutions
decrease due to heat exchange between the processing solutions and the
metal block 104. A processing solution or processing solutions having
temperatures lower than that of the metal block 104 are heated by heat
from the metal block 104 so that the temperatures of such processing
solutions rise. In other words, mutual adjustment is performed among the
processing solutions such that the temperatures of the metal block 104
having a high thermal conductivity and the temperatures of the processing
solutions flowing inside the pipes 70A-70J are equalized relative to each
other through the metal block 104.
By simultaneously controlling the temperatures of the plurality of
processing solutions using the cast heater 100, it becomes possible to
mutually control the temperatures of the processing solutions, unlike the
conventional apparatus in which the temperatures of the processing
solutions are separately controlled. This simplifies the temperature
control for the processing solution and makes the temperature control more
efficient.
In the photographic processing apparatus 10, the developing solution of the
film processing section 16 and the developing solution of the printing
paper processing section 24 are maintained at 42.degree. C. which is
higher than the temperature of developing solutions in a conventional
apparatus (not greater than 38.degree. C.). Hence, the development of the
negative film 12 and the printing paper 20 can be accelerated. Also, since
all the processing solutions except the developing solutions are
maintained at 38.degree. C. or higher, which is higher than the
temperatures of the processing solutions in the conventional apparatus,
the processing of the negative film 12 and the printing paper 20 in the
respective processing solution can be accelerated. Accordingly, in the
photographic processing apparatus 10, the development of the negative film
12 and the printing paper 20 using the respective processing solutions can
be performed in a quicker manner.
In the above-described embodiment, the plurality of processing solutions
are maintained at predetermined temperatures by three heat sources. That
is, the temperatures of the developing solutions of the film processing
section 16 and the printing paper processing section 24 are controlled by
the cartridge heaters 78 and 80, and the temperatures of other processing
solutions are controlled by the cast heater 100. However, as shown in FIG.
5, for example, the pipe 68 communicating with the developing tank 48 of
the printing paper processing section 24 may be bundled together with
other pipes 70A-70J and coupled to the cast heater 100. This further
reduce the number of the heat sources for heating the processing
solutions.
In this case, when the preset temperature of the developing solution in the
developing tank 48 of the printing paper processing section 24 is desired
to be different from the preset temperatures of other processing
solutions, an auxiliary temperature adjusting means is attached to the
pipe 68 between the cast heater 100 and the subtank 62. The temperature
adjusting means includes, for example, a large number of fins 110 attached
to the pipe 68 and a fan 112 which supplies the fins 110 with cool air or
hot air, to adjust the temperature of the developing solution.
The present invention is not limited to the above, and the developing
solutions of the film processing section 16 and the printing paper
processing section 24 may be heated by a common heater. In this case, an
unillustrated cast heater having a structure simpler than the cast heater
100 may be used.
Although the processing solutions, except the developing solutions of the
film processing section 16 and the printing paper processing section 24,
are heated together by the cast heater 100 in the present embodiment, the
pipes 70A-70J may be divided into a plurality of groups each of which is
coupled together by a separate cast heater. Even in this case, the number
of heaters can be greatly reduced compared to the conventional apparatus.
In such a manner, in the case where the number of the heaters (cast heater
and cartridge heaters) is increased compared to the photographic
processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 2, the total number of the heaters
is preferably limited to a number not greater than 4, more preferably not
greater than 3 so as to achieve the objects of the present invention,
i.e., the reduction of the number of parts, and the reduction of the
running costs of the apparatus, and to present the remarkable effect
thereof.
In the present embodiment, the temperatures of the developing solutions are
maintained at 42.degree. C. and the temperatures of the processing
solutions except the developing solutions are maintained at 38.degree. C.
However, this setting of the temperatures is an example, and the object of
the present invention can be sufficiently achieved when the temperatures
of the developing solutions are maintained at temperatures equal to or
more than 40.degree. C., and the temperatures of the processing solutions
except the developing solutions are maintained at temperatures in the
range of 38.degree.-50.degree. C., including 38.degree. C. and 50.degree.
C. When the developing solutions are maintained at temperatures lower than
40.degree. C. and the processing solutions except the developing solutions
are maintained at temperatures lower than 38.degree. C., the processing
speed becomes the same as that in the conventional apparatus.
The cartridge heaters 78 and 80 used in the present embodiment may be
cartridge heaters in which heaters are inserted into the fluid passages
through which the processing solutions flow. Also, it is possible to use
various types of heaters having ordinary structures such as a cast heater
in which a single pipe and a heater are embedded in a metal block, and a
pipe heater in which a heater is closely contacted to the pipe provided
with an integral metal block.
As described above, the method of processing a photosensitive material
according to the present invention can process a color photosensitive
material in a quicker manner. Since the differences in temperature among
the processing solutions, except the developing solutions, are controlled
to be at most 2.degree. C., the temperatures of the processing solutions
can be prevented from affecting each other even when the processing tanks
storing different processing solutions are closely arranged each other.
Therefore, the size of the apparatus can be reduced.
Also, since the differences in temperature among the processing solutions
except the developing solutions are controlled to be at most 2.degree. C.,
the plurality of processing solutions can be heated by a single heat
source. Accordingly, the number of heaters serving as heat sources and the
number of parts for controlling the heaters can be reduced, and the
structure of the apparatus can be simplified. Also, the electrical power
consumed by the apparatus can be reduced so as to decrease the running
costs.
While the embodiments of the present invention, as herein disclosed,
constitute a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might
be adopted.
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